The Hong Kong Sevens begins this weekend and Singapore are one of eight women’s teams competing not only for the individual and overall titles, but also for a shot to be part of the Kitakyushu and Hong Kong Sevens qualifier next year.

For their captain, Alvinia Ow Yong, she is relishing another opportunity to compete for her country.

“Every opportunity to represent Singapore is always a special one,” said Yong. “This team has been together for four campaigns so we are glad to have another opportunity to blood new players and continue our progress.”

Singapore are in a pool alongside Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan and China with their first match coming against the recently qualified World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series team China.

But after the Asian Games, Yong acknowledged the impact of having rugby sevens on a global scale could mean to her and her teammates.

“The Asian Games is one of the biggest sports event in the region. Having rugby sevens as part of it will increase the focus and awareness on the sport.

“It was exciting to see sevens on the global scale. Asia already has a team on the women’s world series and another with the experience of it.

“It, and the upcoming Asia Rugby Sevens Series are good opportunities for the rest of the countries to play Japan and China and gain valuable experience. Hopefully, we will see more girls pick up the sport as well.”

And what are her hopes for the series?

“We are just looking to build on the momentum that we have and continue the progress of the team. That will make us all happy.”